Aer Lingus Decision Imminent on Premium Economy

A year ago, Irish Travel Trade News reported that Aer Lingus was to consider the introduction of a Premium Economy Class option on transatlantic flights. We now understand that a decision is imminent and that Premium Economy will be introduced in 2012.

Removing one row of Economy Class seats to create Premium Economy Class rows with four to five inches of extra seat pitch is easy to do and can be ‘revenue positive’ as a result of the higher fares obtainable from Premium Economy passengers. The downside is that some Business Class passengers may opt for Premium Economy instead on medium-haul routes.

In other developments, the Aer Lingus website booking system now shows the price including taxes and charges combined, all on the calendar page where flights are selected.

The website also now shows new Fare Options on screen once you choose your flight:

Low Fare

Free seat allocation

Free check-in

1 hand luggage up to 10 kilos

Plus Fare

1 free checked bag up to 20 kilos

Free advance seat selection

Free check in

Gold Circle points for Gold Circle members and applicants

Flex Fare

2 free checked bags (total weight 20 kilos)

Full flexibility to change date and times

Lounge access

Gold Circle points for Gold Circle members and applicants

The prices shown do not include the ‘booking charge’ of €6.00 per flight, so the Dublin – Edinburgh return fare of €59.98 shown in the website example above would actually be €71.98. The website also shows clearly the Plus Fare and Flex Fare options and indicates that the return Low Fare in the example can be upgraded to Plus Fare for an additional €40.00 or to Flex Fare for an additional €501.98.